helm location

[colemj]

Originally Posted by Ozbullwinkle

If you look at the OPs opening post will see that you are 14" taller than he is. You say that you can manage the high boom, how do you think you would go if you were the same height as the OP?

Like this, only she will need more mast steps installed to get up there…

Mark

[scarlet]

Originally Posted by Ozbullwinkle

Oops, sorry Scarlet my sincere apologies on making an assumption which was obviously an incorrect one.

No worries, Mate!

[scarlet]

Originally Posted by colemj

Like this, only she will need more mast steps installed to get up there…

Mark

You guys are cracking me up!!!

[Ozbullwinkle]

Originally Posted by colemj

Like this, only she will need more mast steps installed to get up there…



Mark

As the saying goes, a picture tells a thousand words. That really sums it up very nicely.

Imagine this guy needing to pack away his main in bad conditions if the wind was causing bits of it or reef lines etc to hang out through the lazyjacks as can often happen.

[BigBeakie]

Colemj,

Thanks for the photo. It perfectly illustrates the tendency towards condomarans for the charter fleet is turning out boats that are becoming unworkable by mere mortals, and possibly dangerous in rough conditions. Its good that the designers are making the boats heavy enough to offset the loss of stability in moving the COE so far up the sail plan.

Whereas on this boat you need to a giant or a gymnast to secure the mainsail, I recently saw an (older) boat where you need to be a VERY small person or contortionist to get to the engine to change the SW pump impeller. That would be your job, Scarlet! Just what are these designers thinking?

Like Scarlet we are learning as we go what to look for in a boat, how to prioritize what is important depending on how and where we will use the boat, and how to imagine the conditions we will encounter that justify the choices we need to make. Trouble is, we need to do this without the considerable practical experience to make wise decisions. Just lately I'm considering the many facets of anchoring systems.....oops, thread drift alert

[scarlet]

Originally Posted by BigBeakie

Just lately I'm considering the many facets of anchoring systems.....oops, thread drift alert

Ditto!!! I've had nightmares about my husband and I going on an island for a fun day... only to come back, and find my boat.. AND my dogs... drifting out to sea...

Anyway... back to topic!

[DotDun]

You did see Boatie's comments on the flybridge helm on the L440..??

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ml#post1498287

[Cheechako]

Originally Posted by 44'cruisingcat

No pluses? How about being able to see the sail trim on either tack?

... and not see the other side of the boat at all... like the picture immediately above.!
Well... I did say cruising boat......
Standing on the lee side you see the trim but not where you are going.
Standing on the high seide you cant see the headsail.
Why cant you see the headsail trim from a bulkhead?

[scarlet]

Originally Posted by DotDun

You did see Boatie's comments on the flybridge helm on the L440..??

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ml#post1498287

I just did.. thanks for the link!

[jostalli]

Just watch these videos to get an idea of what it's like to have a raised helm (like the L440/L450):

11 - Sailing a Lagoon 450 in Greece - YouTube

and

12 - Sailing a lagoon 450 from Greece to Sicily - fast ! - YouTube

and

Sailing the Carribean - Lagoon 450 - YouTube

[Cheechako]

I suppose helm location isnt a huge thing for me..... after all.... my autopilots on about 90% of the time! But it's nice to be out of the weather when I'm fishing my way through 200 pot bouys!

[downunder]

Scarlet,

here are a couple of good blogs on sailing with a Lagoon 440.

finally my darling

Impi

[roetter]

Originally Posted by scarlet

You guys have really opened my eyes about being protected from the elements. I think one of the reasons I LOVED the fly bridge on the lagoon 450... ( other than the fact that I could actually SEE where I was sailing... ) was that both of us.. and the dogs.. could all sit with each other.. and enjoy the sailing experience together. With so many cats.. there is only seating for one.. and the visibility isn't great.. and when one person is enjoying the sailing.. the other person is stuck alone in the cockpit.. or the salon... I guess I just wanted us to be together.. especially if we are on a longer sail... But, if it is going to cause a hardship due to inclimate weather.. we will need to look at the alternatives. and You have all given me many here...

We have a L450. Fly bridge is a must for us. The very few times we steered from the autopilot control from the inside are less than 1%. The world from up there is totally different and that is why we are out there - to enjoy the view. When underway everybody is up there all the time. Nobody wants to be in the cockpit. Go for it.

[roetter]

Originally Posted by colemj

Like this, only she will need more mast steps installed to get up there… Mark

I have sailed 15000Nm, 16 months, on a L450 and never had to do that. Also, within 30 seconds you can fold the Bimini down and then lower the boom to the deck. I guess somebody wanted to show off. I can easily reach the aft of the boom from the cockpit roof and deal with the reefing lines, should they tangle, without lowering the boom. I can do it while sailing under main. I am only 5'8".

[scarlet]

Jostalli... thank you for the videos... In the first video.. they show a really nice clear "wind shield" that they have coming down from the soft bimini to the helm... I would think that would completely solve the solution of too much 'weather' up there...